How to Make Farmhouse Kitchen Window Shutters

These adorable kitchen window shutters are perfect for a farmhouse-style home—they offer privacy but still let in lots of light. Make them in a weekend with a few pieces of wood, some stain, and basic DIY supplies.

The shutters are also customizable. We chose a whitewash for our finish, but feel free to stain them darker to match the hues of your kitchen. We chose iron hardware, but gold, copper, or brass would also look chic.

What You Need

• 1x4s, cut to desired length
• 1x3, cut to desired length
• Sandpaper
• Drill
• Screws
• Wood paste
• Putty knife
• Stain
• Stain brush
• Door hinges (4)
• Door handles (2)
• Measuring tape
• Pencil

Before You Begin: Cut Wood to Size

Cut 1x4s to length. You'll need 8 pieces total; ours were 21 inches long. Then cut 1x3s to length. You'll need 4 pieces total; ours were 13-3/4 inches long.

Editor's Tip: If you don't have a saw at home to cut the wood yourself, ask an associate at your local hardware store to cut the wood to length before you leave.

Step 1: Sand the Wood

Use sandpaper to lightly smooth the cut pieces of wood, sanding in the direction of the wood grain. Sand down and around the ends to get as smooth a finish as possible.

Editor's Tip: Sand down as little or as much as you'd like—a rougher grain will yield a more rustic look.

Step 2: Attach Pieces

• Lay out the vertical pieces of wood side by side.
• Place one of the cut 1x3s 2 to 3 inches from the bottom of the shutter. (The horizontal pieces will act as a structural brace for the vertical pieces.)
• Attach the horizontal brace, drilling one screw through each vertical piece.
• Repeat with second cut 1x3, placing it 2 to 3 inches from the top.

Step 3: Fill Holes and Paint

Fill in drilled holes with wood filler and a putty knife. Let dry, then sand smooth any excess buildup.

Paint or stain the kitchen window shutters desired shade. We opted for one coat of white paint to allow the wood grain to show through. Let dry before installing hardware.

Step 4: Attach Hardware

Attach two hinges and one handle to each shutter. Then use a measuring tape and pencil to mark the desired placement of the kitchen window shutters on the frame. Next, drill pilot holes, then attach shutters to the wall using a power drill to drive screws through the holes in the hinges into the marked window frame.